FAYRE weather for a Friday fun run in the sun!

When there’s a GoodGym Swindon task on a sunny Friday afternoon, there’s no holding us back. Andrew made a speedy exit from work (he really is a man on a GoodGym black top mission) and Carly made it back in time from an unexpected trip to Reading to join us at Wroughton Junior School for their summer fayre and fun run.

The setting up for the fayre was in full swing when we arrived and Sian gave us the lowdown on what to do. Firstly, we were tasked with registering children for their run, making sure they were given the right colour bib for their year group, and issuing numbers and safety pins. A huge queue soon formed and the register taking was quickly and efficiently done and all the children were soon kitted out.

Putting all that junior parkrun experience to good use, Master of Ceremonies Simon took charge of the megaphone and gathered all the children together for the walk to the playing field ready for their fun run. Organised into their year groups a rainbow of colour was set out before us, against the backdrop of a beautiful bright blue sky. But there was no time for us to admire the scene, MC Simon soon set us to work demonstrating the warm up. The only person excused was Sandy Sam – no physical exertion for her ahead of her Race to the Stones (100km in the bag – huge congratulations, Sam!) on Saturday.

Once we stomped like gorillas, swum, wiggled our hips and kicked bottoms (our own), it was time for the fun run to start!

Before the children set off around the 1km course in their year groups, it was time for some crowd control with Teresa soon bringing everyone in line. Don’t mess with her – underneath that friendly exterior, she’s the voice of authority! And then they were off, to the sound of cheering and the loud ringing of cow bells to encourage everyone to make it round the course. It certainly made everyonemoo-ve it! There was some excellent running – GoodGym members of the future? – and Rachel did a great job of making sure that everyone made it to the finish line where the medals were handed out.

After some swift tidying up, and some bonus volunteering for Hannah who helped out on the ‘Hook a Duck’ stall, it was time for the parachutists to arrive! There was great excitement as the plane circled overhead and then 8 parachutists landed, with the first one carrying the (as yet unnamed) teddy, the new school mascot. It’s fayre to say, we could bearly contain our excitement! What a fantastic end to a community mission!

It was time to go our separate ways – ready for parkrun on Saturday for some, and the equivalent of 20 parkruns for Sam! And, if you’re wondering where our group photo is, you’ll just have to wait for our happy smiley faces. We were snapped by the official photographer and will share those pics soon!